Intercom
The Clear-Com intercom system is a closed-circuit intercommunication
system designed for clear, two-way communication between crew members in
a live television production environment. The main station is located in
the control room, and remote stations are located throughout the studio
and production areas. The remote stations used most often are belt packs
that are worn by the crew member. To this is attached a headset that includes
either one or two earphones and a mic for talkback.
Operation is fairly simple.
- Using standard microphone cable of sufficient length, attach a belt
pack station (female 3-pin XLR) to the closest intercom jack. For studio
personnel other than camera operators, the intercom jacks are located on
the large silver panel on the studio wall. Camera operators may connect
their belt pack to the intercom jack on the right rear side of the camera
body. Note: The second XLR jack (male) on the belt pack is so that a second
station and headset can be added by looping through with another length
of audio cable.
- Attach a headset to the belt pack. Note: this is a 4-pin XLR connector
rather than the 3-pin XLR used for the first connection.
- Adjust the volume control to your personal preference. This volume
control controls only the volume in your earphone and does not affect the
other crew members' ability to hear you!
- To talk, press and hold the talk button, or press twice quickly to
latch in the on position. Speak slowly and clearly, but quietly during
production, into the microphone. Once the mic has been latched on, it may
be turned off by pressing the talk button once. Note: It is important
that talking be kept to a minimum. Also, make sure that your microphone
is off anytime that you are not speaking.
- When it is time to strike the studio, return cables, headsets, and
belt packs to the wall where cables are stored. To release the XLR cable
from the belt pack, the release button on the side of the belt pack must
be depressed.
To contact professor Ebersole, e-mail him at samuel.ebersole@colostate-pueblo.edu
Return to CSU-Pueblo Television Production Handbook home page.